Bookbinding.



H Patented Sept 2, I902. J. L. McMlLLAN'.

BOOKBINDING.

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(Application filed July 9, 1898.)

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RI: Pmns Pnpmumu, WASHINGTON D Patented Sept. 2, I902.

J. L. McMlLLAN. BOOKBINDING.

Aupl at on filed July 9 1898 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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wimeooeo ms PETERS co.. numb-urns, wasumcToma-n UNITED STATES JOHN L. MCMILLAN, OF ILION, NEV YORK.

PATE T OFFICE.

BOOKBINDING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,065, dated September 2, 1902.

Application filed July 9, 1898. Serial No. 685l l5- N m m To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JoHNL. MCMILLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ilion, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bookbinding, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to the binding of loose sheets to form books, and is more especially designed to meet the requirements of record-offices, banking and mercantile establishments, and the like, where under existing conditions it is the general practice to make entries in manuscript. By the employment of loose sheets it is made practicable to produce the records in type-writing with the same ease and facility as obtainsin other typewriting, and with the aid of my invention these sheets can be bound into book form without danger of becoming loosened, misplaced, or surreptitiously removed, the completed book presenting a finished appearance difiering but slightly, if at all, from ordinary record-books of similar general style.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention, and in these Figurel is a perspective view of a completed book embodying the novel features; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the book in a partially-completed state; Fig. 3, a perspective view of a folded sheet and its retaining-strip; Fig. 4, a cross-section through the sheet and strip; Fig. 5, a perspective view showing the single sheet or half-sheet, its retaining-strip, and cooperatin g members of the binder, the several parts recited being separated to show their construction more clearly; Fig. 6,a sectional view illustrating the manner of applying the at taching-strips to single sheets or half-sheets; Fig. 7, a modified form of the compressingband.

The greater legibility of type-writing as compared with manuscript, the larger quan tity of'matter that may be written in given space, and the greater rapidity of work have long recommended type-writing as a substitute for manuscript in the making of records generally; but for various reasons it has not yet been introduced to any considerable extent in bookwork or for writing in bound volumes. Machines have been especially designed to perform this work; but they are large, heavy, and expensive, require considerable care in adjusting them to working position and in subsequent manipulation, and up to the present time have not been adopted to any considerable extent.

My invention aims to give the same freedom, ease, and rapidity of operation that attend the ordinary use of type-writing machines, or, in other words, to permit the work to be type-Written under precisely the same conditions as any other matter and thereaft-er to be bound in book form as fast as the sheets are printed, thus preserving them and presenting the matter in convenient shape for inspection or examination as the record is produced. The means whereby this end is attained will now be explained in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that there is a book-cover comprising the sides or boards 1 and 2, hinged to a curved back 3 in essentially the usual manner of making book-covers. The size, material, and design will of course vary, according to the use for which the book or the binding is intended, the drawings representing one suitable for recordbooks for wills, deeds, and the like or for mercantile records and accounts. To each side or board 1 and 2 there is attached by rivets or other suitable fastenings a metal plate 4 one edge of each plate being rolled into the form of a barrel or hollow cylinder 5, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, the barrels 5, lying along the line of the hinges or joints, oonnectin g the boards to the back on the inside of the cover, as shown. Each barrel or cylinder 5 is cut away at intervals,producing notches or spaces 6, each designed to receive one end of a binding-strip 7. The binding-strips 7 are alike in form and dimensions, and each consists of a comparatively stifi strip of metal, preferably tempered spring-steel, which may conveniently be of from one-quarter to one-half an inch in width and of alength proportionate to the desired thickness of the completed book. One end of each binding-strip 7 is fashioned into a barrel or hollow cylinder 8 of the same diameter as the barrels 5 of plates4 and of a length to freely enter but to fill the notches or spaces 6. The several binding-strips have their barrel ends entered into the notches 6 of the plate 4:, attached to front board 1, and are hinged thereto by a rod 9, passing axially through the alined barrels and secured against escape by tongues or spurs 10, struck or cut from the metal of barrel 5 near each end and pressed inward across the open interior thereof, just outside of or beyond the ends of the rod 9, as seen in Fig. 5. The binding-strips 7 are curved longitudinally to conform approximately to the curvature of the back 3, their temporarily free ends being fashioned into hooks or open barrels 11, as seen in Figs. 2 and 5.

It will be noted upon referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 5 that there are more notches or openings 6 than there are binding-strips 7, the drawings showing five of the former and three of the latter, though the number of each may vary, as desired. The spaces not occupied by binding-strips are designed to receive elastic bands 12, which may be of webbing containing elastic threads or, as is preferred, of india-rubber without webbing or covering of any kind. These bands are preferably continuous or endless like the broad flat elastic bands used about packages of papers, and they are placed in their notches in plate at at the front of the cover previous to inserting the rod 9, so that said rod shall pass through each band and. retain it in position, as seen in Fig. 5, or they are of the form shown in Fig. 7. At the point farthest from the rod 9 each band 12 is furnished with a metal tab 13, here represented as a piece of sheet metal having an opening for the band and a slit proceeding thence to the end or edge of the tab, so that it may be opened to admit the band and thereafter closed together to retain it in place. In the drawings the band is shown reduced in width where the tab is applied for the double purpose of preventing the tab from shifting its position and. bringing it within the width of the band. Obviously a wire tab may be used or one of any other common form, though that shown is preferred.

If the paper of which the book is composed be thin, it is feasible to employ the folded or double sheets and to print upon them in a type-writing machine, particularly if no carbon copies be made at the same time; but as it is desirable to employ rather heavy and stiff paper for books of the character noted it becomes important to provide means for securely binding single or half-sheets. For the purpose of making the sheets fast to the binding-strips 7 I provide for each sheet, whether a folded or a half sheet, an attaching-strip 14, of thin metal or alloy or of other thin and tough material. Copper, brass, and phosphor bronze all answer quite well, but German silver is found to be perhaps the most satisfactory when all considerations are taken into account. Each attaching-strip is made of a length advisedly a little less than that of the sheet and is formed with a series of ears 15, projecting from one edge in plane with the body of the strip. The length of the cars will depend upon the use of folded sheets or of half-sheets, being quite short in the former case and somewhat longer in the latter. In Fig. 4 I have shown a folded sheet with a series of narrow slits 16 along the line of folding, the size and location of the strips corresponding with those of the ears 15 of the attaching-strip 14. Each ear 15 is provided with a long narrow perforation 17 to receive either a binding-strip 7 or a compressingband 12, the openings 17 being arranged to register accurately with the binding-strips and with the compressing-bands, as indicated in Fig. 2. Undera prior construction asimilar attaching-strip was employed with folded sheets, but a number of sheets were carried by a single strip. Such construction entailed an undue amount of labor and required great care to insure the proper sequence of pages when bound into book form. Under the present construction I employ an attaching-strip for each sheet, folded or single, and thereby obviate entirely the difficulties encountered under the former plan. When using folded sheets, the openings 17 are made close to the edge of the strip from which the ears spring, as shown in Fig. 3, so that there shall be no space for movement of the sheets between the attaching and the binding strips. It is, however, deemed highly preferable to employ single or half sheets, because of the greater ease and regularity with which type-writing may be done thereupon, especially when carbon copies are being made at the same time. This has long been desired, but so far as I am aware has not been successfully attained heretofore in a binder of the general character here proposed. Under the present plan, however, it is readily accomplished by making a slit or narrow cut 21 through the sheet from face to face at a distance from the binding edge sufficient to leave due width of paper to give adequate strength. In practice this is found to be from about a quarter to a third of an inch, though no precise limits are imposed by the conditions of use. The attaching-strips for use with the half or single sheets have ears 15 of a length to reach from the slits 21 to a point somewhat beyond the edge of the sheet, where they are provided with openings 17 like those of the shorter ears.

By referring to Figs. 4 and 6 it will be seen that the attaching-strip and its ears lie wholly on one and the same side of a given leaf when used with the folded sheet, whereas with the single or half sheet the ear passes through to and lies on the opposite side of the leaf from that on which the body of the strip stands. With the folded sheets there is consequently a smaller percentage of the thickness made up of or occupied by the attaching-strips than with the single sheets; but by reason of the outward curvature of the hinge orportion of the cover connecting the boards and the back said space is sufficient to accommodate the extra thickness without making it apparent in the general appearance of the book. In many if not in most places where such books will be used it willhappen that they require free to play between the covers, they would speedily be torn or injured. It is to prevent this that the compressing-bands 12 are provided. As explained, these are of elastic material, preferably a good quality of india-rubher, and they are of such cross-section as to necessitate the application of moderate force to draw them through the openings of the ears 15 or 15" provided to receive them. In the act of drawing endwise upon the bands 12 they are elongated, which elongation has the efiect of reducing the cross-section of the bands and facilitating their passage through the ears 15 or 15 without abrasion or cutting. When drawn through the attaching-strip last applied,said strip and the sheets and strips below it are pressed down to place and the bands 12 are released. In returning to their natural shape they sim ultaneously contract length-,

wise and expand crosswise, the expansion causing them to bind in the openings 17 and contraction causing the outermost strip to be drawn firmly down upon those below it, thus compressing the pack and binding all firmly together. By this simple device the sheets or leaves, whether single or folded, are kept in a firm compact body like the leaves of an ordinary book well bound, and they may be examined, turned, and handled with the same facility and freedom as the leaves of completely-bound volumes. This feature is not possessed by any prior binding device of which I have knowledge and is of marked importance, overcoming as it does one of the chief obstacles to the use of type-written records in mercantile establishments, record offices, and like places. After the attachingstrips 14 are strung upon the binding-strips 7, which is done by passing the perforated ears over the hook-shaped ends 11, a second rod 18 is passed through the barrel 5 of the plate 4,-attached to the back cover or board 2, and through the hooks or open barrels 11, thus bringing and securing the parts in proper relative position and giving the regular book form to the binding. By referring to Figs. 1 and 2, where the rod 18 is shown de tached, it will be seen that said rod has one end slightly tapered or pointed to facilitate its passage through the barrels and the bindingstrips and that at the other'end it is furnished with a head or lateral projection 19, which serves both to limit the longitudinal movement of the rod and to facilitate its withdrawal. A short distance below the head there is formed a circumferential groove 20, which so nearly severs the upper end of the rod from the main or body portion that it may be readily broken off when desired. The groove is so located that when the short section is removed the remaining portion of the rod shall just fill the space between'the spurs l0 of the barrel5, which may therefore be bent inward against or over both ends. binding is intended to be permanent,the front rod 9 will be secured in this manner at the outset; but if it be the purpose to remove the sheets from the cover to another andpermanent binding the rods will both be left of full length and with the heads 19. If it be deemed important to prevent removal of sheets during the formation of a volume by the addition of sheets from time to time, means may be provided for locking the rods in place, the key being placed in the custody of a responsible keeper. As this will constitute subjectmatter of another application,the device will not be described herein. When the volume is completed, the rods, shortened as above explained and secured by the inturned spurs 10, will preclude removal of sheets under any conditions that can ordinarily obtain where such books are used; but the result may be further insured by placing a drop of solder in the cavity over each spur 10, so that it may not be pried out to release the rod. Other checks will be provided in the way of paper with special water-marks, check-numbers, &c., the latter being varied for each book of given pattern and dimensions; but as these do not pertain strictly to the mechanical construction of the book further description is not necessary here. The plates 4 may be concealed by suitable facings, if desired, or they may be left uncovered; but in any event will If the be secured to the boards in such manner as to preclude detachment under any probable conditions of use. The employment of spring binding-strips, 7 gives an elasticityto the back and binding and a flexibility to the book possessed only by exceptionally well-bound volumes of the usual type, permitting the lines to be read easily from end to end. They also yield to any pressure sufficient to com press the curved back 3, which latter may be of binders board, metal, or other suitable material covered or concealed by the outer binding material, as desired. It is not essential, though quite desirable, that the binding-strips be of spring metal. They may be rigid and unyielding, or they might even be flexible, but devoid of resilience, or practi cally so, provided their ends be as described.

The construction set forth is,however,deemed best. When the proper number of sheets is reached, the rubber bands are or may be cut off, leaving no part of them in view. Obviously the binder may be utilized as a temporary holder of the sheets; but this is not deemed advantageous. The leaves being of uniform size and slitted by suitable machinery, so that the slits of all sheets register perfectly, the edges of the sheets exactly register at the ends, while the curvature of the binding-strips 7 gives to the front. or outer edges the same curve possessed by books bound in the ordinary way.

In Fig.7 I have shown the compressing band 12 of single thickness, witha'n opening at one end thinned and pointed to permit its ready passage through the perforated ears without the aid of a tab. This construction may be found preferable in practice to that shown in other figures; but the invention contemplates any elastic band of this general nature.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The herein-described binding for loose sheets, comprising a back 3; boards 1 and 2 hinged to said back; binding-strips 7 ,attached at one end to the cover and having open barrels or hooks at the other end; a notched barrel or tube 5 made fast to the cover; a rod adapted to pass through the barrel 5 and the open barrels or hooks of the binding-strips; a series of attaching-strips 14 provided with perforate ears to receive the binding-strips; and sheets slitted to receive the ears and a pplied thereto, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a cover provided with plates 4, having barrels 5 provided With openings 6, binding-strips 7 provided with barrels S and hooks or open barrels 11; and rods 9 and 18 for securing the binding-strips to the plates 4.

3. In combination with a cover provided with barrels 5 having openings or notches 6; binding-strips 7 provided with barrels 8 and hooks or open barrels 11; attaching-strips 14 provided with ears having perforations 17; and rods 9 and 18 for attaching the bindingstrips to the barrels 5.

4:. In combination with a cover or binder; a hinged binding-strip to carry or sustain the sheets; a barrel secured to the cover and having an opening to receive the free end of the binding-strip; a rod passing through the barrel and serving to attach the binding-strip thereto; and rigid spurs permanently projecting into the barrel and serving to prevent Withdrawal of the rod.

5. In combination with a bookcover, a plate secured thereto and provided with a barrel 5 having an opening 6; a binding-strip 7 provided with a barrel 8 seated in the opening 6; a rod passing through the barrels 5 and S; and rigid spurs 10 cut from the metal of barrel 5, projecting into the same, and serving to prevent withdrawal of the rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In combination with a cover; bindingstrips attached thereto; attaching-strips having perforated ears some of which are strung upon the binding-strips; and elastic bands attached to the cover and having one end free to be passed through ears of the attaching-strips, substantially as and for the purpose explained.

7. In combination with a suitable cover, a series of perforated attaching-strips adapted to carry leaves or sheets to be bound; and an elastic band attached to the cover, larger in cross-section than the perforations,whereby it is adapted to be drawn through the perforations of the attaching-strips when elongated and to expand laterally when released; causing it to bind in the perforations and by contracting longitudinally, draw the attaching-strips firmly together.

8. In abinder, the combination of a suitable cover; binding-strips within said cover; single or unfolded sheets or leaves having perforations through them from face to face near the binding edge; and attaching-strips having perforate ears passing through the sheets or leaves and strung upon the binding-strips, substantially as described.

9. In a binder, the combination of a series of single or unfolded sheets or leaves, and a series of attaching-strips, one for each sheet or leaf, each strip having a tongue passing through one leaf from face to face at a point a short distance inward from the binding edge.

10. In combination with a suitable cover provided with a notched barrel; a bindingstrip having a barrel to enter the notch of the main barrel; and a hinge-rod for connecting the two barrels provided with a head or projecting portion to reach outside the barrel, and with a notch below said head to facilitate the removal thereof.

11. In combination with a suitable cover, a series of attaching-strips 14 provided with perforate ears; and an elastic band arranged to pass through the perforate ears, said band being normally of larger measurement in crosssection, in a given direction, than the perforation through which it passes.

12. In combination with a suitable cover, a series of attaching-strips provided with perforate ears; and an elastic band of larger crosssection than the perforations of the ears, but provided with a tab of smaller section.

13. A book, a series of cross-pieces therein having open hook ends, means within the book located to be engaged by the hooks, and means for detachably securing pages to said crosspieces.

14. A book, comprising a cover having a hinge member, a series of cross-pieces having hinge members at their ends, a rod adapted to pass through the hinge members and having a weakened place, and means for detachably securing a series of pages to the crosspieces.

15. In combination with a cover provided with barrels having openings, binding-strips provided with hooks or open barrels, and rods for securing the binding-strips to the covers.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. MCMILLAN.

Witnesses:

A. W. HARD, C. H. J OSLYN. 

